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“Centrally Speaking” is a podcast from the Central Schwenkfelder Church and speaks about issues that would be of interest to our society. In particular it addresses how a Christian worldview intersects with western secular culture. In the spirit of the church's founder, we take the perspective of "the Middle Way," which is in agreement with the historic Christian church.
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Many think of the church as being a first century phenomenon. After all, Jesus and the disciples like Peter led the church then and the books of the Bible were written during that time. In comparison, few understand the great significance of the second century for the understanding of the church. In this podcast, Dr. Shawn Wilhite answers questions about the importance of the second century. He is the Associate Professor of New Testament at California Baptist University in Riverside, Californ...
News coming out of Iran is limited. On January 8, 2026, the Iranian regime initiated a near total internet blackout. Many digital rights and internet monitoring groups have assessed the current shutdown to be the most sophisticated and most severe in Iran's history. At the same time, nationwide protests are taking place that started on December 30, 2025. On January 30, 2026, we spoke with an Iranian Christian living in the neighboring country of Armenia about the situation in Iran and the Ira...
As part of our Day of Remembrance service each year, we tell the story of the Schwenkfelder migration from Silesia, Germany to Philadelphia. On September 21, 2025, H. Drake Williams, Jr. relayed the story to the General Conference of Schwenkfelder Churches at the denomination's Day of Remembrance Service that was held at Palm Schwenkfelder Church. #Schwenkfeldermigration #emigrationfromSilesia #Schwenkfelderdayofremembrance Centrally Speaking is a ministry of Central Schwenkfelder...
In December, many celebrate Christmas or the Christmas season. Many who are not a part of the church are unfamiliar with the season of Advent. In this podcast, we speak with Rev. Dr. David McKinley, senior minister of Central Schwenkfelder Church about the Advent season. During the podcast, he also will speak about the Advent Wreath, which is a symbol that is used in the church service. #advent #adventwreath #Germanadventwreath #adventcelebration #adventworship Centr...
At Christmas time, many will recognize that the church speaks about the birth of Jesus. As part of the celebration, Christians also sing Christmas carols. These used to be prominent in western society, but they are heard much less frequently outside of the church. In this podcast, we interview Sally House, the Director of Music at the Central Schwenkfelder Church and someone who has instructed about music for over 30 years in the school system nearby. We ask her questions about great carols s...
Many are recognizing that religious persecution is a problem. While this knowledge is increasing, the understanding has not led to persecution decreasing. In this podcast, we interview Prof. dr. Janet Epp Buckingham about these problems. As someone who is serving as the Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Geneva Office since September 2024 and previously as WEA Director of Global Advocacy, she is repeatedly raising awareness of this issue. In these roles, Janet advocates at the United ...
Migration is one of the largest issues of our time. More than ever before nations and faiths are encountering each other in unexpected ways. This is taking place in Marseille, the oldest city in France. In this southern city, many from North Africa have settled bringing a different worldview. Marseille now has many Muslims who intermingle with those who are Catholic or atheist. Craig Young has been observing this trend for over 35 years. As a missionary, he has befriended those from both Nort...
Abuse happens in many places throughout our society. Does God have a word for those who are feeling manipulated? In her upcoming book, That God is For Me: A Study of God’s Heart Through the Stories of Women in Scripture, Lisa Radcliff points to several stories in the Bible that display his heart for those who have been misused. Lisa Radcliff is an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. (website: https://lisajradcliff.com/). Lisa and her husband, Doug, have ...
How were the ancient writings that compose our Bible translated into our current English Bibles? In this podcast, we ask Dr. Scott Hafemann who was a part of the translation committee for the New International Version translation of the Bible about this process. In his answers, he speaks about the earliest English translations, the King James Version, and the New International Version. His answers also share about his experience serving on a translation committee. Scott Hafemann was formerly ...
The events surrounding the death of Jesus on Good Friday are truly tragic. As Christians remember it, was it completely out of control? Was Jesus just in the wrong place at the wrong time? What difference would it make if there was some divine plan behind it? In this podcast we interview David McKinley, Senior Minister at Central Schwenkfelder Church about this topic. #deathofJesus #sovereigntyofGodcrucifixion #prophecyMessiahdeath #crucifixionJesus #GoodFriday #Pass...
How did the church globally make some of its decisions? One of the most important decisions took place in AD 325 in modern day Turkey at the Council of Nicaea. Representatives from all over the Roman Empire came to this council. Eventually, decisions made there led to the Nicene Creed, which many say before taking communion (the Eucharist). On the 1700th anniversary of this important date in church history, we ask Dr. Donald Fairbairn about this council. He is the Robert E. Cooley...
How do we connect with youth today? What are the characteristics of what some people call Generation Z? Dr. Dave Coryell has been answering this question through Christian Endeavor for over 18 years. In the past 8 years, he has been the Director of Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor (website: https://www.ceworks.faith/) and also serves with Christian Endeavor World (https://www.christianendeavor.com/). He is also an adjunct youth ministry professor at Lancaster Bible College. He and his wi...
During the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, American news was running many stories about the news. In recent months, however, the mainstream news is sharing much less. In this podcast, we interview Ken Sears, missionary from European Christian Mission North America Inc. (website: https://www.ecmna.org/). He shares the latest news from the city of Zaporizhzhya, which is just 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the front line. His news includes what takes place during air attacks and their frequen...
How can we have a more spiritual Christmas? While many are focused on gift giving and parties, Christmas is so much more than this. It has spiritual origins. People like Mary and Joseph had distinct spiritual practices. How can we recover these? In this podcast, we interview Rev. Dr. David McKinley, Senior Minister at Central Schwenkfelder Church, about spiritual experiences that will lead to a faith filled Christmas and keep Christ in Christmas. #spiritualityChristmas #spiritualpract...
Prayer is an indispensable part of Christian experience. As the world has modernized, deeper and richer spiritual experiences have dissipated. Some Christian communities have been known for their devotion to prayer. One of these is the Schwenkfelder Church. In this podcast, Rev. Dr. David McKinley, Senior Minister of Central Schwenkfelder Church, interviews Rev. Dr. Drake Williams, Minister of Mission and Theology at the church. The interview contains discussion about Caspar Schwenckfeld's wr...
Why are some conversions to Christianity so dramatic while others seem more ordinary? Rev. Dr. Luminița Nichols knows both types well from her experience growing up in Romania and facing persecution during Communist times, and then serving as a minister in Lancaster, PA in the United States. Her book recounts her conversion experience and her journey. It is entitled, From Pain to Purpose: A Young Woman's Journey from a Communist Prison to an American Pulpit is published by Wipf & Stock in...
The small Schwenkfelder denomination began in Silesia, Germany during the Reformation. It was particularly born out of the controversies about the Eucharist. In this podcast, we ask author Rev. Dr. Martha Kriebel about her thesis entitled Schwenkfelders and the Sacraments that she wrote in 1965 for her Master of Sacred Theology Degree that she did at Lutheran Seminary. The thesis was published in 1968. Now after over 65 years of ordained ministry experience, she provides this reflection on he...
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is a viewpoint promoted by American universities that has had substantial influence. This perspective encourages greater access to university resources for those who have been restricted. It is also used for increasing social justice in society. It is becoming increasingly criticized, however. In this podcast, we ask Dr. Patrick Casey about DEI and its future. Dr. Casey is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Holy Family University in Philadelphia...
Christianity and Islam are two of the major religions in our world. How do Muslims practice their faith? How do Christians practice the faith? Are they alike? How are they different? In this podcast we ask Dr. Andrew Brunson about his time that he spent living in Turkey and then when he was imprisoned and living with Muslims. Dr. Brunson is also the author of God's Hostage: A Story of Persecution, Imprisonment, and Perseverance. #islamchristianity #Islamspirituality #Islamdevot...
Central Schwenkfelder Church has been a noted edifice in the Lansdale/Worcester, Pennsylvania community since 1951. It was originally formed by merging two smaller meeting houses in the area - Towamencin and Worcester. The building in 1951 presented a particular expression of the Christian faith and was attractive to many in the community. Now for over a year, the building has been renovated, presenting a fresh means for the church to present its vision of the Christian faith and to interact ...
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